One Irish player leaves team as remaining players vote to go ahead with soccer games against Israel amid pressure to boycott
Ireland Proceeds With Israel Games After Squad Vote
Qwenews.com – One Irish player leaves team as Ireland prepares to play its Nations League fixtures against Israel, following a lengthy squad discussion and a vote by the remaining players to continue with the matches.
The first game is scheduled for Sunday in Debrecen, Hungary, with Israel designated as the home side. Ireland’s home fixture is set to follow on October 4 in Backa Topola, Serbia. Irish supporters will not be permitted to attend either match.
Training and media commitments planned for Saturday were delayed for more than five hours as players discussed whether they should participate. The debate came amid calls in Ireland for a boycott over Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Gavin Bazunu Withdraws From Squad
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu confirmed that he had withdrawn from the squad. The 24-year-old reserve goalkeeper said the decision reflected his personal conscience.
“Wrong to participate” in the games “based purely upon my personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong.”
Bazunu said his stance was not directed at Israeli people or the Jewish community, but at what he described as atrocities in the region. One Irish player leaves team in a decision he described as an opportunity to take a stand on an issue bigger than football.
“There are few times where you get a chance in life to stand up for something bigger and I strongly believe that this is one of them.”
Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell said concerns raised by a player had led to extensive discussions among the squad. A subsequent vote produced what Courell called a significant majority in favour of fulfilling the fixtures.
“Based on that, the association took the decision on behalf of Irish football that this fixture would continue as we have always intended to fulfill the fixtures.”
Team Will Train and Play
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed that a player was leaving the group, while the rest of the squad remained available for training. He said discussions would continue even as preparations for the match moved forward.
“All the rest of the players are training today.”
“It’s an ongoing discussion and we haven’t come to a kind of conclusion on this, but we are going ahead, the game is going ahead, we’re going to train.”
One Irish player leaves team, but the association’s decision means Ireland will still play both Nations League matches against Israel. The players asked to be excused from media duties around Sunday’s game because they were uncomfortable addressing questions beyond football.
The squad plans to wear black armbands in recognition of all lives lost in the conflict and will not take part in certain parts of the pre-match ceremony. Match fees from both Israel fixtures, along with proceeds linked to Ireland’s October 1 game against Austria in Dublin, are also intended for a substantial charitable donation.
Boycott Calls Increase Pressure
Opposition to the fixtures has been strong in Ireland, where public support for Palestinians has been prominent. Protests began after the February draw and continued as the matches approached.
Hallgrimsson said the growing pressure had affected players and officials alike, while Ireland midfielder Jason Knight had already described the situation as difficult after the team’s 1-0 defeat in Kosovo.
“There’s been protests since the draw (in February) not to play this fixture.”
FAQ: Ireland’s Matches Against Israel
Why did One Irish player leaves team? Gavin Bazunu said he withdrew because of his personal belief that participating in the matches was wrong amid the conflict.
Will Ireland still play Israel? Yes. The remaining players voted by a significant majority to fulfil the scheduled Nations League fixtures.
Where will the matches take place? Israel’s designated home match will be played in Debrecen, Hungary, while Ireland’s home fixture will take place in Backa Topola, Serbia.
Can Irish supporters attend? No. Irish supporters will not be allowed to attend either match.